Updates to market close

SHANGHAI, April 3 (Reuters) - China stocks closed lower on Wednesday, tracking regional peers as U.S. bond yields held four-month highs, although data showed China's services activity accelerated.

** A powerful earthquake in Asia raised concerns about possible disruptions to the vital chip-making industry, denting sentiment in regional stock markets.

** Markets are also pondering the risk of slower rate cuts ahead of U.S. data and an appearance by the world's most powerful central banker later in the day. Oil extended its ascent, while gold prices hit another record high.

** China's services activity growth accelerated in March as business rose at the quickest pace in three months, a private-sector survey showed on Wednesday, following the better-than-expected manufacturing surveys, adding to signs that parts of China's economy are gaining momentum in the first quarter.

** At the close, the Shanghai Composite index .SSEC was down 0.18% at 3,069.30 points.

** China's blue-chip CSI300 index .CSI300 was down 0.36%, with its financial sector sub-index .CSI300FS lower by 0.73%, the consumer staples sector .CSI000912 up 0.14%, the real estate index .CSI000952 down 1.38% and the healthcare sub-index .CSI300HC down 0.63%.

** At the close of trade, the Hang Seng index .HSI was down 1.22% at 16,725.10 points. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index .HSCE fell 1.44% to 5,874.99 points.

** The smaller Shenzhen index .SZSC ended down 0.66% and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index .CNT was weaker by 1.079%.

** Around the region, MSCI's Asia ex-Japan stock index .MIAPJ0000PUS was weaker by 0.86%, while Japan's Nikkei index .N225 closed down 0.97%.

** The yuan CNY=CFXS was quoted at 7.2357 per dollar as of 0811 GMT, 0.05% weaker than the previous close of 7.232.

** Chinese financial markets will be closed for the tomb sweeping holiday from Thursday, with trading resuming on Monday, April 8.

(Reporting by Shanghai Newsroom; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Janane Venkatraman)

((Jason.Xue@thomsonreuters.com;))